“Help—”
Hunter curses, slapping his hand across my mouth and muffling the scream. “Help me out, Jax.”
Jax looks up from his phone then tosses it into the SUV before grabbing my legs. “This is gonna happen whether you like it or not,” he tells me as he drags my legs away from the sidestep.
Then Hunter and he work together to shove me in the car. But I manage to kick Jax in the stomach. He grunts, letting go of my legs. Grasping the opportunity, I bite Hunter’s hand. He lets out a string of curses, his grip on me loosening just enough for me to escape from his arms.
I whirl around, preparing to run, when another set of lean arms wrap around me.
“Fight all you want. This is going to end in only one way,” Zay says in the most eerily bored tone ever.
I throw my weight forward. “Go fuck yourself.”
“That statement is going to seem pretty damn ironic to you in just a few minutes.” Then he scoops me up and slings me over his shoulder.
As his words replay in my mind, the fear I thought was gone pours through me.
Wait … Does he mean—
He tosses me into the back seat hard enough that I bounce against the leather and fall onto the floor. I scramble to get up, but Zay climbs in and grabs ahold of me, dragging me up onto the seat beside him.
“Let go of me, asshole.” I move to head-butt him, but he slants back.
“The more you fight, the worse this is going to be.”
“Says every serial killer ever,” I mutter, fury burning underneath my skin.
“Are you saying I’m a serial killer?” he asks, mildly amused.
It’s the first time he’s shown any signs of emotion, besides irritation, and considering the situation …
“Are you?” I ask.
He chuckles. Actually fucking chuckles. “I guess you’re about to find out.”
That whole grasp on calmness I had is starting to fray.
Hunter sticks his head into the car and glances at me then at Zay. “You want me to drive?”
“Yeah. I’ll sit back here and make sure she behaves,” Zay tells him, drawing me closer to him.
I manage to jab my elbow into his side, hard enough that he winces.
A smile plays at Hunter’s lips as his gaze skates from me to Zay. “You sure you can handle her? She’s feistier than we’re used to.”
I glare at him. “You haven’t even seen feisty yet.”
Hunter arches a brow, amusement glinting in his eyes. “Is that so?”
“Yep.” I offer him a cold smile. “But you’ll find that out soon.”
He shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips as he returns his attention to Zay. “So, you’re good with sitting with her?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just drive careful,” he warns in a quiet tone.
The statement and his tone seem oddly out of place considering how taunting he’s been.
Nodding, Hunter closes the door then climbs into the driver’s seat while Jax hops in on the passenger side.
“So, are we going with option one or two?” Hunter asks as he starts up the engine and adjusts the rearview mirror.
“It should be option two.” Jax cracks the window open then pops a cigarette into his mouth, lighting up. “I have a feeling she’s not going to go for option one.”
Hunter gives him a curious look. “Why do you think that?”
Jax shrugs, casting a glance at me. Then he looks forward and shrugs. “Because she’s a fighter.”
I struggle to maintain even breathing. He’s worried because I’m a fighter? What’re they planning on doing to me that he’s worried about me fighting? None of the possibilities that come to mind seem like a good thing.
Katy’s warnings ring in my head. You don’t want to mess with them. They’re kind of dangerous.
I can’t keep the shiver from rolling through my body, and then I internally cringe, knowing Zay felt it.
Keeping one arm in front of me, he dips his lips toward my ear. “So you do get scared. Good to know.”
I try to smack my head against his again, but he leans out of the way and chuckles.
Jax tosses a curious yet confused look over his shoulder at Zay.
“What?” Zay questions as Hunter steers out of the parking space. “What the hell is that look for?”
Jax lifts a shoulder then cracks the window open a bit more, letting cool air gust into the cab. “What look?”
“You know what look.” Zay shifts his position as Hunter pulls the SUV onto the road. Then he drags me to his side and stiffly puts one arm in front of me, pinning me against the seat.
His movements are slightly shaky, like either he’s too worked up or afraid of me. The latter doesn’t make sense, though.
My fingers curl into fists, my fingernails piercing my flesh. Instead of running my mouth, though, I try another tactic, wiggling my arms around until my fingers are near my pocket where my phone is. If I can get to it, I might be able to call for help.
Jax shakes his head as he ashes the cigarette out the window. “No, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Sorry, brother.”
“Brother?” I ask as I feel around in my pocket for my phone. “I thought you guys were cousins?”
“We are cousins, technically.” Jax stares ahead at the road as he lifts the end of his cigarette to his mouth. “But Zay is more of a brother to me than even my own brothers. He’s been there for me when no one else has, and I know without a doubt he’d take a bullet for me.”
The concept of cousins being close is lost on me, and when Jax glances over his shoulder at me, he must notice my confusion.
“You have a cousin, right? The one that you live with?” he says, but it’s not really a question. “Aren’t you close with her?”
I snort a laugh. “Yeah, that’s a big, fat no. But, how do you even know we’re cousins? Usually, she tries to keep that info pretty hush hush.”
“Oh, we know all about you, Ravenlee Wilowwynter,” Zay taunts. “The parentless girl who lives with her aunt, uncle, and very shallow cousin. Who’s gotten suspended from school countless times, yet hasn’t gotten expelled because her uncle, who just happens to be a cop, bails her out every time. I’m wondering why, though? Is it because he loves you or is it an embarrassment to his family? From some of the stuff I’ve read in your files, I’m guessing it’s the latter.”
I’d really like to know the answer myself…
Wait…
My pulse quickens. “What files?”
“Oh, I read all sorts of files during my little fourth period break,” he continues to torment me. “Your school records. Your therapy records. I even saw a copy of the agreement your uncle signed when he took you in after your parents died. Apparently, he did it because, if he takes care of you until you graduate, he’ll get a nice chunk of the cash your father left behind.”
The words my uncle said to my aunt this morning pierce through my mind.
I made an agreement when I took her in. She’s going to live with us until she graduates high school.
I’ve often wondered why he’s never gotten rid of me. Now it makes sense. Then again, my parents weren't rich by any means, so I'm still kind of confused. I mean, my mom worked at a gas station and my dad… Well, he stole a lot of stuff and conned people for a living. But he wasn't a terrible man, at least to me and my mom. He also didn't have ton of money, so how is my uncle getting a big payout for taking care of me until I graduate?